Local schools quiet after Conn. shootings

TIFTON — Tift County’s public schools were quiet Monday as students returned to classes for the first full day following Friday’s tragic shooting of 20 young students and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

The news of the shootings at the school that houses students in kindergarten-through-fourth-grade in the New England community of approximately 27,000 people 60 miles northeast of New York City sparked mourning around the world for the lives lost and thoughts of how to beef up schools’ security. It also caused concern of how to explain to children — especially the youngest — about the event that unfolded in the media around the world.

Patrick Atwater, Tift County’s school superintendent, told The Tifton Gazette Friday that counselors and social workers would be available to talk with any child who exhibited any signs of fear or anxiety caused by the school shooting. He sent out a system-wide e-mail Friday afternoon, which included advice for parents on how to talk with the children who might become upset by the incident.

Atwater said Monday that a review of the school system’s safety procedures was part of Monday morning’s regular meeting with administrators.

“We went back to make sure exterior doors were closing and locking properly,” Atwater said.

Law enforcement officers also “quietly visited schools” Monday, Atwater said.

“It’s been a quiet day,” Atwater said. He said that he had not gotten any calls from parents or teachers concerned about any student’s reaction to the shootings in Connecticut.

Dr. Gina Cox, the student services director for the school system, said Monday afternoon that she had called each school to check with principals and counselors to see if there had been any problems that could be contributed to Friday’s tragedy.

“All of the principals reported a very quiet and calm day,” Cox said.

Cox said a crisis team of counselors and school social workers was available for dispatch to any school where it was needed to comfort and talk with teachers or students, but the team was not requested Monday.

“We had a few parents come in to school with their young children and tell us they were praying for us,” Cox said.

Cox said that she heard that some students exiting the buses at school Monday morning were discussing the shootings, but once in their classrooms, “they seemed to get right on task.”

“With the media blast on it, it’s surprising the students weren’t more upset,” Cox said. “But, there was also a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists on the television advising parents. Some have them must have taken that advice with their children.”

Like some others, Cox said she had to change channels to avoid the news over the weekend.

“It’s heartbreaking to see the faces of those little children,” Cox said. “I had to turn it off.”

To contact reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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